2018 CADILLAC ATS Sedan

Manufacturer Offer

Financing Offer : 0.0% APR for 36 months on select CADILLAC models

* Disclaimer(s)

` Truth in Lending Act Disclosure:
Down payment will vary with APR and credit. For example, 0.0% APR with $2,500 down payment provides for 36 monthly payments of $27.78 per $1000 financed for qualified buyers. 0.0% APR for a term of 24 months corresponds to a monthly cost of $41.67 per $1000 financed.
0.9% APR for a term of 39 months corresponds to a monthly cost of $26.03 per $1000 financed.
0.9% APR for a term of 42 months corresponds to a monthly cost of $24.2 per $1000 financed.
0.9% APR for a term of 48 months corresponds to a monthly cost of $21.22 per $1000 financed.
1.9% APR for a term of 60 months corresponds to a monthly cost of $17.48 per $1000 financed.
2.9% APR for a term of 72 months corresponds to a monthly cost of $15.15 per $1000 financed. The rates described are for estimation purposes only; you may not be able to finance at this rate.

Reviews

Driving Impression

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New Car Test Drive

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The ATS brings the most powerful 2.0-liter turbo in the class, its 272 horsepower more than that in the Mercedes C300 or BMW 328i. The engine is agile, nimble, quick and eager to run with the big boys. The ATS can shoot from zero to sixty in less than six seconds, which is right fast for a four-cylinder in a big car.

The bigger engine, a direct-injection 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6, is super-smooth and powerful. It turns the ATS into a long-legged cruiser. The 8-speed automatic is seamless.

With either engine, the chassis offers composure, confidence, and precision. The ZF electric power steering contributes much to that, a nice light touch in Normal mode. Sport makes it firmer but not quicker; we like that the steering ratio isn’t variable, it makes the car more predictable. In the dynamic department, the ATS smokes the field, except for the BMW, which it matches.

The ride with the standard suspension is fairly stiff, but it might change with other available wheel sizes and tires. The suspension enables good cornering, and the ride is good even with the wider 18-inch wheels and tires. Brembo brakes come with the bigger wheels.

The available FE3 sport suspension uses dampers with magnetically charged fluid changing the stiffness depending on the road surface. GM’s Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) came from the Corvette, and continues to flatten the road.

The rear-wheel-drive ATS-V is a monster V6, with 464 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque, thanks to twin-turbocharging the 3.6-liter engine. The electronic limited-slip differential keeps the power balanced between the rear wheels. The paddle-shifting 8-speed automatic is poised on the track, thanks to its sophistication. The Performance Traction Management stability and traction control system is adjustable. Huge Brembo brakes, to bring you down from high speeds.

The body is very stiff, braced at the shock towers, rockers, subframe and engine bay. That helps make the ATS-V remarkably easy to drive, with an alive feel that some rivals lack. However it can get a bit squirmy, with 3700 pounds of curb weight pushing on relatively narrow 255 front tires.

The ATS was developed at the challenging Nurburgring, a benchmark circuit that’s a surefire signal that a manufacturer is serious about handling. Proving that Cadillac does not fear to tread into the backyard of Mercedes and BMW.

Walk Around

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New Car Test Drive

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The ATS distinctively Cadillac, with the classiest styling in town. Nobody does edges like Cadillac, and the ATS is beautifully chiseled in the front and rear. With a long hood and athletic stance, it’s crisp and handsome. Its proportions establish a presence.

The ATS Coupe boasts a character line that runs the length of the car, while the ATS-V shouts muscle car, with an aero kit, aggressive front fascia, wider fenders, big alloy wheels, fatter tires, twin pipes, and domed hood.

Interior Overview

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The ATS cabin is warm, plush and crafted. A noise cancellation system keeps it quiet. It’s relaxed and ergonomic, draped in wood, leather and metal. The centerstack is cool and high-tech, with an 8.0-inch touchscreen. The CUE infotainment system is improved, and shines. The CUE system uses haptic feedback systems that can be frustrating, but it cleans up clutter in the cabin when traveling with a phone or iPod. A wireless charging mat lives in a secret compartment behind the screen.

In front there’s plenty of room and the deep sport buckets are comfortable. In back it’s a tight fit with 33 inches of legroom, well short of the BMW and Benz. There isn’t much trunk space either, well below the Audi and Infiniti.

In the coupe, entry and exit can be tricky.

The ATS-V is available with Recaro seats with suede accents, but standard cabin materials are about right for the price. Some trim details don’t meet the level of the Mercedes C63 AMG. However when compared to the BMW M3 and M4, the ATS-V feels a step ahead in its leather seats and its metal and plastic trim.

Summary

Editor:

New Car Test Drive

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The Cadillac ATS has it all: distinctive classy styling, a fabulous turbo four engine or long-legged V6, sharp transmission, tight responsive handling, and a quality cabin with great leather. The ATS-V is a perfect monster.